Has the pandemic ruined our safe driving practices?
Fatal vehicle crashes have increased despite fewer people being on the roads during COVID-19. Part of the reason for the increase in deaths may be a decline in safe driving behaviors, as recent data shows drivers have been more likely to speed, drive impaired, and not wear a seatbelt during the pandemic.
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Jeff Root
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jeff is a well-known speaker and expert in insurance and financial planning. He has spoken at top insurance conferences around the U.S., including the InsuranceNewsNet Super Conference, the 8% Nation Insurance Wealth Conference, and the Digital Life Insurance Agent Mastermind. He has been featured and quoted in Nerdwallet, Bloomberg, Forbes, U.S. News & Money, USA Today, and other leading fina...
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UPDATED: Sep 4, 2024
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UPDATED: Sep 4, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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With COVID-19 resulting in many employees switching to working at home, the roads during commute time have been clearer than normal. The natural assumption is that there would be a decline in car crashes with fewer people on the roads.
Unfortunately, this has not proven to be the case, leading to the question of if COVID-19 has ruined safe driving practices for America’s drivers. Preliminary studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have revealed that fatal crashes due to reckless driving behaviors have increased since the start of COVID-19.
Read on to learn about how lack of seatbelt use, drug use, drunk driving, and speeding have all increased.
- Total fatal crashes in America increased over 7% from 2019 to 2020
- Crashes from reckless driving behaviors have increased significantly during the pandemic
- Speeding has become a major problem in the majority of states
Rise in Fatal Crashes Since Start of COVID-19
Looking at the overall numbers reveals that total crash fatalities in the U.S. increased 7.15% from 2019 to 2020. While this may not seem like a large leap, it’s a big increase considering people are driving less. In addition, when we break apart this number by causes, it’s clear that risky driving behaviors have contributed to the rise in fatalities.
Some of the riskiest driving behaviors are impaired driving, speeding, and not wearing a seatbelt. Our look into the NHTSA’s numbers revealed the following about fatal crashes from reckless driving behaviors:
- The number of unbelted fatal crashes went from 21.9% pre-pandemic to an average of 26.8% during the pandemic
- The number of drug and alcohol-related fatal crashes increased significantly, with cannabinoid-related crashes increasing over 10% during the pandemic and alcohol-related crashes increasing around 4%
- Drivers with BACs of 15+ involved in fatal crashes increased about 5% from pre-COVID-19 levels
Fatalities from speeding have also increased during COVID-19. According to the Governer’s Highway Safety Administration (GHSA), multiple states have recorded increases in speeding, with some states recording drivers speeding at over 100mph. Currently, organizations like the GHSA and IIHS are working on initiatives to reduce speeding across the U.S.
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Explanations Behind Increase in Reckless Driving Behaviors During COVID-19
One of the most likely reasons that crashes have increased is that the NHTSA’s past driving data shows drivers are more likely to speed and drive recklessly on rural roads with fewer people, simply because there is less traffic to slow them down. Since COVID-19 has decreased the number of people driving, these behaviors have transferred over to urban roads.
And since speeding makes it harder to avoid objects, such as a deer in the middle of the road, and makes it easier to lose control of the vehicle, it’s no wonder that driving fatalities during COVID-19 have increased.
As for other reckless behaviors, like impaired driving, preliminary studies by sources like the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) show that drinking has increased during COVID-19. This may partly be due to people struggling to adjust to the sense of isolation brought on by social distancing and working from home. Naturally, increases in drinking and drug use have led to more cases of impaired driving.
The decline in safe driving practices has made the roads less safe during COVID-19, which is why it’s important for individuals to make sure they are staying alert on the roads and following the law. Driving safely and practicing defensive driving techniques can help reduce your risk of a crash, even if others on the roads are driving recklessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected safe driving practices?
The COVID-19 pandemic has had both positive and negative effects on safe driving practices. While some aspects have improved, others have been negatively impacted.
What are some positive effects of the pandemic on safe driving practices?
Some positive effects include:
- Reduced traffic congestion: With many people working remotely and fewer vehicles on the road, traffic congestion has decreased, leading to smoother traffic flow and potentially fewer accidents.
- Increased awareness: The pandemic has heightened awareness of personal hygiene, which may extend to keeping vehicles clean and practicing better sanitation habits while driving.
What are some negative effects of the pandemic on safe driving practices?
Some negative effects include:
- Distracted driving: The increased use of mobile devices for work or communication purposes while driving may lead to a rise in distracted driving incidents.
- Aggressive driving: The added stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic may contribute to more aggressive driving behavior on the roads.
- Impaired driving: Some individuals may turn to alcohol or substances as a coping mechanism during challenging times, leading to an increase in impaired driving incidents.
How can we maintain safe driving practices during the pandemic?
To maintain safe driving practices during the pandemic:
- Avoid distractions: Keep your focus on the road and refrain from using mobile devices while driving.
- Practice defensive driving: Be mindful of other drivers’ behavior and anticipate potential hazards on the road.
- Follow public health guidelines: Adhere to public health guidelines such as wearing masks, practicing proper hygiene, and maintaining physical distancing, even while driving or interacting with others on the road.
- Manage stress: Find healthy ways to manage stress and anxiety to prevent aggressive or impaired driving behaviors.
Are there any specific precautions to take while driving during the pandemic?
Yes, some specific precautions include:
- Keep sanitizing supplies handy: Carry hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and tissues in your vehicle to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
- Wear a mask: If you have passengers in your vehicle who are not from your household, wearing masks can help reduce the risk of transmission.
- Limit non-essential travel: Whenever possible, follow local guidelines and limit your travel to essential trips only.
How can technology assist in maintaining safe driving practices during the pandemic?
Technology can play a supportive role in promoting safe driving practices during the pandemic. Features such as hands-free calling, voice commands, and Bluetooth connectivity can help reduce distractions. Additionally, smartphone apps and telematics devices can provide feedback on driving behavior, encouraging safer habits.
Are there any changes in auto insurance policies due to the pandemic?
While auto insurance policies may not have undergone significant changes directly related to the pandemic, some insurers have offered premium discounts or rebates due to reduced driving during lockdowns. It’s advisable to check with your insurance provider to understand any specific adjustments or provisions they have made.
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Jeff Root
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jeff is a well-known speaker and expert in insurance and financial planning. He has spoken at top insurance conferences around the U.S., including the InsuranceNewsNet Super Conference, the 8% Nation Insurance Wealth Conference, and the Digital Life Insurance Agent Mastermind. He has been featured and quoted in Nerdwallet, Bloomberg, Forbes, U.S. News & Money, USA Today, and other leading fina...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.